Legal Definitions - cotland

Definition: Cotland (kot-lənd) refers to a piece of land that is owned by a cottager, who may hold it either in socage or villeinage tenure.

Example: In medieval England, many peasants lived in cottages and worked on small plots of land known as cotlands. These plots were often too small to support a family, so cottagers would also work for their lord or other wealthy landowners to make ends meet.

Explanation: The example illustrates how cotlands were small plots of land that were typically owned by cottagers, who were often poor peasants. These plots were not large enough to support a family, so cottagers would often have to work for their lord or other wealthy landowners to supplement their income. Cotlands were an important part of the feudal system in medieval England, as they provided a means for peasants to support themselves and their families.